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Carbon nanofibre (CNF)-reinforced ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) nanocomposites containing up to 10 wt % of nanofibres were prepared by a novel solvent-assisted extrusion process using short chain oligomers to tailor the melt viscosity of the UHMWPE matrix. A detailed investigation of the resulting nanocomposite microstructure and of the static mechanical properties revealed that the carbon nanofibres lead to improved mechanical properties of the UHMWPE related to the wear performance of such systems. Unidirectional sliding tests against a 100Cr6 steel under dry conditions verified the significant potential of dispersed carbon nanofibres to reduce the wear rate of this polymer. In light of the promising results, a further optimization of the processing conditions of such UHMWPE nanocomposites is expected to yield interesting future nanocomposite materials even for demanding applications such as artificial knee implants.

The precise characterization of new bio-based thermosets is imperative for the correct assessment of their potential as matrix material in fiber-reinforced polymer composites. Therefore, the mechanical properties of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol a (DGEBA) cured with l-arginine were investigated to determine whether the bio-based thermoset possesses the required mechanical properties for application as a matrix material. The cured thermoset is called Argopox. The mixture of amino acid and epoxy resin was prepared via three-roll milling and cured in the presence of an urea-based accelerator. The tensile, compression, flexural and toughness properties of Argopox were characterized at T=−40 ∘C, 22 ∘C and 80 ∘C to determine the temperature-dependence of the thermoset’s mechanical properties in its service temperature range. The glass transition temperature Tg was analyzed via dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and is approximately 119 ∘C. The tensile, compression and flexural strength at 22 ∘C are about 56 MPa, 98 MPa and 85 MPa, respectively. The critical stress intensity factor KIC and fracture energy GIC at 22 ∘C are roughly 1.1 MPam0.5 and 510 Jm−, respectively. Consequently, Argopox possesses mechanical properties that reach performance levels similar to that of materials which are already used as matrix for fiber reinforced composites.